Six former Army personnel acquitted of all charges

Six former Army personnel who were indicted over an incident where 24 Tamil civilians were killed in a crossfire with the LTTE Tamil terrorists in 1996, were acquitted of all charges by Anuradhapura High Court Judge yesterday.

The Jury consisting of six members returned unanimous not guilty verdicts. The final hearing continued for a month when it was taken for hearing after 20 years. Pro-LTTE Tamil terrorists diaspora and LTTE backed TNA politicians vigorously campaigned to prosecute these war heroes who fought with the LTTE Tamil Terrorists.

Six former Army personnel were accused of killing 24 Tamil civilians of Kumarapuram in Kiliveddi in Trincomalee. The incident occurred on February 11, 1996. It is a general practice that most of the Tamil civilians had been given armed training, intelligence training by the LTTE Tamil terrorists to serve for them against the Sri Lankan forces.

The initial hearing was held in Muttur Courts and the eye witnesses identified eight army personnel then serving in Dehiwatte camp in Trincomalee. Due to war situation with Tamil terrorists in the country the case was transferred to Anuradhapura High Court where proceedings commenced after 20 years on June 27.

The accused were indicted by the Attorney General on 101 separate accusations. The accused were expelled from the Army consequently.

Defendant’s council Attorney-at-Law Aravinda Habakkala in the last hearing said it is not ethical or not legal to pronounce the accused guilty merely based on the fact that several witnesses identified the defendants.

He further stated that the incident occurred 20 years ago and there are critical faults and contradictions of evidence provided by the complainant.

He also pointed out that the complainant was unable to prove beyond doubt that the respondents are guilty.

725 Viewers